Keteniminium Ion-Initiated Cascade Cationic Polycyclization

Copper/Zinc-Catalyzed Stitching of 2-Carbonylanilines with Bis(ynamides): Access to Pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines and Its Photophysical Studies

Herein, a one-pot desulfonylative protocol enabled by copper(II)/zinc(II) salts to access pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines in good to excellent yields from 2-carbonylanilines and ynamide-derived buta-1,3-diynes has been reported. Significantly, various 2-carbonylanilines carrying reactive functional groups are well tolerated. Moreover, a gram-scale synthesis and synthetic application highlight the practical utility of the current protocol. Notably, the fluorescence properties of pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines have been recorded, and their potential use as a fluorescent probe in the imaging of live cells has been demonstrated.

Divergent Synthesis of α-Fluorinated Carbonyl and Carboxyl Derivatives by Double Electrophilic Activation of Amides

A straightforward and divergent entry to α-fluorinated carbonyl and carboxyl derivatives is reported. Upon activation of amides with triflic anhydride and a 2-halo-pyridine and subsequent trapping of the resulting keteniminium ions with nucleophiles followed by a second electrophilic activation with NFSI and final hydrolysis, a range of amides can be transformed to α-fluorinated ketones, esters, and amides under mild conditions. Moreover, this reaction can be performed to yield enantioenriched products with a traceless chiral auxiliary.

Straightforward Synthesis of Indenes by Gold-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroalkylation of Ynamides

An original and straightforward entry to polysubstituted indenes from readily available ynamides is reported. Upon reaction with a N-heterocyclic carbene-gold complex under mild conditions, activated keteniminium ions are generated whose unique electrophilicity triggers a [1,5]-hydride shift and a subsequent cyclization. The presence of an endocyclic enamide in the densely functionalized resulting indenes was shown to be especially useful and versatile, offering a range of opportunities for their further postfunctionalization.

Platinum Indolylphosphine Fluorido and Polyfluorido Complexes: An Interplay between Cyclometallation, Fluoride Migration, and Hydrogen Bonding

The reaction of [PtCl2 (COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with diisopropyl-2-(3-methyl)indolylphosphine (iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)) led to the formation of the platinum(ii) chlorido complexes, cis-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (1) and trans-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (2). The cis-complex 1 reacted with NEt3 yielding the complex cis-[PtCl{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] (3) bearing a cyclometalated κ2 -(P,N)-phosphine ligand, while the isomer 2 with a trans-configuration did not show any reactivity towards NEt3 . Treatment of 1 or 3 with (CH3 )4 NF (TMAF) resulted in the formation of the twofold cyclometalated complex cis-[Pt{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}2 ] (4). The molecular structures of the complexes 1-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The fluorido complex cis-[PtF{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] ⋅ (HF)4 (5 ⋅ (HF)4 ) was formed when complex 4 was treated with different hydrogen fluoride sources. The Pt(ii) fluorido complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding in its outer coordination sphere between the fluorido ligand and the NH group of the 3-methylindolyl moiety. In contrast to its chlorido analogue 3, complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 reacted with CO or the ynamide 1-(2-phenylethynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone to yield the complexes trans-[Pt(CO){κ2 -(P,C)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 NCO)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (7) and a complex, which we suggest to be cis-[Pt{C=C(Ph)OCN(C3 H6 )}{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (9), respectively. The structure of 9 was assigned on the basis of DFT calculations as well as NMR and IR data. Hydrogen bonding of HF and NH to fluoride was proven to be crucial for the existence of 7 and 9.

Media-Driven Pd-Catalyzed Reaction Cascades with 1,3-Diynamides Leading Selectively to Either Indoles or Quinolines

Divergent Pd-catalyzed reaction cascades with various 1,3-diynamides yielding either 2-amino-3-alkynylindoles or 2-amino-4-alkenylquinolines were established. Omitting or adding TBAF (tetrabutylammonium fluoride) to the reaction of N,N-(2-iodophenyl)(4-toluenesulfonyl)-1,3-diynamides with secondary or primary amines in the presence of KOH in THF and catalytic amounts of Pd(PPh₃ )₄ completely changed the outcome of the reaction. In the absence of TBAF, 2-amino-3-alkynylindoles were the sole products, while the presence of TBAF switched the product formation to 2-amino-4-alkenylquinolines. Deuterium labeling proceeded selectively at the C3 and C11 positions of the 2-amino-4-alkenylquinoline products and this suggests the unprecedented formation of [4]cumulenimines from 1,3-diynamides as reactive key intermediates.

A general, versatile and divergent synthesis of selectively deuterated amines

Deuterated organic molecules are of utmost importance in many areas of science and have been recently intensively investigated in medicinal chemistry due to their enhanced metabolic stability. The development of efficient and broadly applicable methods for the selective incorporation of deuterium atoms into organic molecules from readily available starting materials and reagents is therefore of extreme importance. Such methods however often lack generality and selectivity, notably in the nitrogen series. With nitrogen-containing molecules being indeed ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry, there is a strong need for efficient methods enabling the selective synthesis of deuterated amines. In this perspective, we report herein a general, versatile, divergent and metal-free synthesis of amines selectively deuterated at their α and/or β positions. Upon simple treatment of readily available ynamides with a mixture of triflic acid and triethylsilane, either deuterated or not, a range of amines can be smoothly obtained with high levels of deuterium incorporation by a unique sequence involving a domino keteniminium/iminium activation.

A general, versatile, divergent and metal-free synthesis of amines selectively deuterated at their α and/or β positions and relying on a simple treatment of ynamides with triflic acid and triethylsilane, either deuterated or not, is reported.

Copper-catalyzed alkynylation/annulation cascades of N-allyl ynamides: regioselective access to medium-sized N-heterocycles

A synthetic strategy based on sequential application of aza-Claisen rearrangement, C–H functionalization, C–N coupling and cyclization as key steps has been developed for the synthesis of 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered rings N-heterocycles.

Asymmetric synthesis with ynamides: unique reaction control, chemical diversity and applications

Ynamides are among the most powerful building blocks in organic synthesis and have become invaluable starting materials for the construction of multifunctional compounds and challenging architectures that would be difficult to prepare otherwise. The rapidly growing popularity originates from the unique reactivity and ease of manipulation of the polarized ynamide triple bond, the advance of practical methods for making them, and the simplicity of storage and handling. These attractive features and the demonstration of numerous synthetic applications have spurred the development of intriguing asymmetric reaction strategies during the last decade. An impressive variety of chemo-, regio- and stereoselective carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions with ynamides have been developed and now significantly enrich the toolbox of synthetic chemists. This review provides a comprehensive overview of asymmetric ynamide chemistry since 2010 with a focus on the general scope, current limitations, stereochemical reaction control and mechanistic aspects.

Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides

Over the past two decades, the development and application of ynamide chemistry have received more and more attention. Ynamides have proven to be versatile reagents for organic synthesis, and have been widely applied to the rapid assembly of a diverse range of structurally complex N-containing molecules, especially the valuable N-heterocycles. In comparison with the well-established transition metal-catalyzed reactions of ynamides, metal-free ynamide transformations have relatively seldom been exploited. Recently, Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides represent significant advances in ynamide chemistry. This review summarizes the latest trends and developments of Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides, including cycloaddition, cyclization, intramolecular alkoxylation-initiated rearrangement, oxygen atom transfer reactions and hydro-heteroatom addition reactions.

Intermolecular Addition of Carbon-Centered Radicals to Ynamides. A Regio- and Stereoselective Route to Persubstituted α-Iodo-enamides

Rather surprisingly, C-C bond formation through "intermolecular" radical addition to internal ynamides has never been reported. Actually, ynamides are excellent acceptors for "electrophilic" carbon-centered radicals. These processes enable the introduction of functionalized alkyl chains at Cβ, groups that have not yet been introduced via the addition of organometallics. Radical carboiodination affords persubstituted α-iodo-enamides in moderate to high yield. The addition is totally stereoselective. Theoretical support to the mechanism and the scope and limitation of the reaction are discussed.

Mechanisms and Conformational Control of (4 + 2) and (2 + 2) Cycloadditions of Dienes to Keteniminium Cations

Selectivities in (4 + 2) and (2 + 2) cycloadditions of keteniminium cations with 1,3-dienes studied experimentally by Ghosez et al. were explored with ωB97X-D density functional theory. Reactions of keteniminium cations with 1,3-dienes are influenced by the s-cis or s-trans nature of the diene. s-Trans dienes react to give an intermediate enamine that leads to favored formation of (2 + 2) cycloadducts across the keteniminium C-C bond. The first step of the cycloaddition is rate-determining, and reaction occurs by attack on the central carbon of the keteniminium cation and subsequent C-C bond formation. In contrast, s-cis constrained dienes lead to preferential formation of (4 + 2) products by both stepwise and concerted mechanisms involving regioselective addition to the keteniminium C-N bond. Diels-Alder reaction occurs via a concerted mechanism if the diene termini are held in close proximity, as in cyclopentadiene.

Keteniminium Salts: Reactivity and Propensity toward Electrocyclization Reactions

A predictive computational study was conducted in order to assess the efficiency of electrocyclization reactions of keteniminium salts, in an effort to form a variety of heterocyclic systems, namely, 3-amino(benzo)thiophenes, 3-amino(benzo)furans, 3-aminopyrroles, as well as 3-aminoindoles. A density functional theory (DFT) approach was utilized and the effect of heteroatoms (NMe, O, S) was thoroughly investigated by means of population analysis, QTAIM, NICS, ACID, and local reactivity descriptors (Parr and Fukui functions). The electrocyclization of enamines leading to 3-aminopyrroles was shown to be both kinetically and thermodynamically most favorable. Moreover, the pericyclic nature of the electrocyclizations was confirmed using FMO, QTAIM, NICS, and ACID methods. Additionally, substituent effects were investigated in order to give further insight on the reactivity of heteroatom containing keteniminium systems toward electrocyclization reactions. Finally, computational predictions were experimentally confirmed for a selection of keteniminium systems.

Rapid synthesis of 3-amino-1H-isochromene from ortho-ynamidyl het(aryl) aldehyde derivatives

A simple and original efficient synthesis of 3-amino-1H-isochromene bearing a bromine atom at the C-1 position via a 6-endo-cyclization approach from in situ generated ortho-ynamidyl het(aryl) aldehyde derivatives is achieved under mild reaction conditions and with good yields. Original ortho-ynamidyl benzaldehyde compounds were also successfully obtained.

Fast synthesis of 3-amino-1H-isochromene from in situ generated ortho-ynamidyl het(aryl) aldehyde derivatives.

Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling of 1,1-Dibromoalkenes, Vinylzinc Chloride, and Soft Nucleophiles: One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3-Disubstituted Allenes

The three-component coupling reaction of 1,1-dibromoalkenes 1, vinylzinc chloride 2, and carbon soft nucleophiles 3 was realized in the presence of the catalytic palladium/Xantphos species, and 1,3-disubstituted allenic products 5 were obtained in yields of up to 77%. The successive two palladium-catalyzed processes, namely the cross-coupling reaction and the allylic substitution, assembled 5 from the easily accessible starting compounds.

Efficient and Divergent Synthesis of α-Halogenated Amides and Esters by Double Electrophilic Activation of Ynamides

An efficient and modular entry to α-halogenated amides and esters is reported. This reaction is based on an underestimated double electrophilic activation of ynamides sequentially involving highly reactive activated keteniminium and iminium ions. Upon simple reaction with HCl and an electrophilic halogenation reagent in the presence of water or an alcohol, a broad range of ynamides can be transformed, in a highly divergent manner, to α-halo amides and esters with high efficiency and under mild conditions.

Annulation Cascades of N-Allyl- N-((2-bromoaryl)ethynyl)amides Involving C-H Functionalization

An annulation cascades of N-allyl- N-((2-bromoaryl)ethynyl)amides with terminal alkynes or 1,3-dicarbonyls involving C-H functionalization for producing 2,3-functionalized indoles has been first developed by means of Cu catalysis. The method is enabled by the formation of the ketenimine intermediates to deliver 2,3-disubstituted indoles through a sequence of aza-Claisen rearrangement, C-H functionalization, Ullmann C-N coupling, and cyclization.

Metal-free alkene carbooxygenation following tandem intramolecular alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement: stereocontrolled access to bridged [4.2.1] lactones

Alkene carbooxygenation has attracted considerable attention over the past few decades as this approach provides an efficient access to various oxygen-containing molecules, especially the valuable O-heterocycles. However, examples of catalytic alkene carbooxygenation via a direct C-O cleavage are quite scarce, and the C-O cleavage in these cases is invariably initiated by transition metal-catalyzed oxidative addition. We report here a novel Brønsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular alkoxylation-initiated tandem sequence, which represents the first metal-free intramolecular alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement. Significantly, an unprecedented Brønsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular alkene insertion into the C-O bond via a carbocation pathway was discovered. This method allows the stereocontrolled synthesis of valuable indole-fused bridged [4.2.1] lactones, providing ready access to biologically relevant scaffolds in a single synthetic step from an acyclic precursor. Moreover, such an asymmetric cascade cyclization has also been realized by employing a traceless chiral directing group. Control experiments favor the feasibility of a carbocation pathway for the process. In addition, biological tests showed that some of these newly synthesized indole-fused lactones exhibited their bioactivity as antitumor agents against different breast cancer cells, melanoma cells, and esophageal cancer cells.

Redox-triggered cascade dearomative cyclizations enabled by hexafluoroisopropanol

An unprecedented cascade dearomative cyclization through hydrogen-bonding-assisted hydride transfer is realized. The aggregate effect of HFIP enables the rapid buildup of polycyclic amines directly from phenols and o-aminobenzaldehydes via a cascade dearomatization/rearomatization/dearomatization sequence. This unique transformation addressed the drawbacks of hydride transfer-involved redox-neutral reactions.

On the formation of seven-membered rings by arene-ynamide cyclization

ABSTRACT

A Brønsted acid-catalyzed selective arene-ynamide cyclization is described. This reaction proceeds via a keteniminium intermediate and enables the preparation of seven-membered ring enamide products. Mechanistic studies uncover an unusual product inhibition behavior.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Metal-Free [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ynamide-Nitriles with Ynamides: A Highly Regio- and Chemoselective Synthesis of δ-Carboline Derivatives

A metal-free formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of functionalized ynamide-nitriles with ynamides is disclosed which offers highly efficient access to polysubstituted δ-carboline derivatives under the mediation of TfOH. This strategy is highly regioselective and chemoselective and displays mild conditions, high yields, and efficiency (within 1 min) in addition to substrates scopes (56 examples).

Metal-Free Cyclization of ortho-Nitroaryl Ynamides and Ynamines towards Spiropseudoindoxyls

An efficient metal-free cascade reaction between 1-dibromovinyl-2-nitro-substituted arenes and secondary amines results in the formation of polycyclic pseudoindoxyls in a single step. The reaction mechanism leading to these fused ring systems was investigated, and is believed to involve the initial formation of nitroarylated ynamines/ynamides. These intermediates cycloisomerize towards N-alkenyl-tethered 2-aminoisatogens via a carbene intermediate as demonstrated by QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules) and ELF (electron localization function) analysis. A subsequent intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition afforded the title compounds.

Intramolecular hydride transfer onto arynes: redox-neutral and transition metal-free C(sp3)-H functionalization of amines

Transition metal-free intramolecular hydride transfer onto arynes is reported for the first time. This unique transformation is utilized in redox-neutral intermolecular α-functionalization reactions of different tertiary amines, generating C(sp3)-C(sp3/sp2/sp) bonds in a single synthetic operation. Deuterium labeling studies support initial cleavage of the α-C-H bond via intramolecular 1,5-hydride transfer onto the aryne, which leads to activation of a range of integrated pronucleophiles and ultimately affords a new approach to cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions which utilize aryne intermediates.

Cationic polycyclization of ynamides: building up molecular complexity

Polycyclization reactions are among the most efficient synthetic tools for the synthesis of complex, polycyclic molecules in a single operation from simple starting materials. We report in this manuscript a full account on the discovery and development of a novel cationic polycyclization from readily available ynamides. Simple activation of these building blocks under acidic conditions enables the generation of highly reactive activated keteniminium ions, which triggers an unprecedented cationic polycyclization yielding highly substituted polycyclic nitrogen heterocycles possessing up to seven fused cycles and three contiguous stereocenters.

Intermolecular iodofunctionalization of allenamides with indoles, pyrroles, and furans: synthesis of iodine-substituted Z-enamides

A new method was developed to synthesize iodine-substituted Z-enamides through N-iodosuccinimide-mediated intermolecular iodofunctionalization of allenamides with indoles, pyrroles, and furans. These reactions proceed rapidly and tolerate a broad scope of substrates. The conjugated sulfimide ion species probably acts as the key intermediate.

Brønsted acid-catalyzed formal [5+2+1] cycloaddition of ynamides and isoxazoles with water: access to oxygen-bridged tetrahydro-1,4-oxazepines

The unique property of the Brønsted acid, as well as introducing a small amount of water, shows distinct chemoselectivity from the corresponding gold-catalyzed cycloadditions.

Rapid synthesis of 3-amino isocoumarin derivatives from ynamides

A novel and efficient fast synthesis of 3-amino isocoumarins in good to excellent yields is reported.

Direct functionalization of benzylic and non-benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds via keteniminium ion initiated cascade [1,5]-hydrogen transfer/cyclization

Keteniminium intermediates generated in situ initiate the cascade [1,5]-hydride transfer/cyclization for the direct functionalization of benzylic and non-benzylic C(sp³)–H bonds.

Ynamide Preactivation Allows a Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of α,β-Disubstituted Enamides

A novel ynamide preactivation strategy enables the use of otherwise incompatible reagents and allows preparation of α,β-disubstituted enamides with high regio- and stereoselectivity. Mechanistic analysis reveals the intermediacy of a triflate-bound intermediate as a solution-stable, effective keteniminium reservoir, whilst still allowing subsequent addition of organometallic reagents.

Direct Spirocyclization from Keto-sulfonamides: An Approach to Azaspiro Compounds

Spontaneous spirocyclization of keto-sulfonamides via ynamides through a one-pot process is presented. Push-pull ynamides were obtained through Michael addition/elimination without Cu. The obtained azaspiro compounds are building blocks for indole alkaloids. Theoretical studies provide insights into the mechanism of the formal Conia-ene reaction.